Tuesday, April 3

Italeri's new April kits, with Sprues, colours, boxart in several genres & scales...

Although the hands-down star of this month's new releases from Italeri ALFA ROMEO 179 - 179C, there are a bunch of other interesting kits in different genres for most of us out there to get excited about - see for yourself with boxart, colours & box contents in our preview...

The Alfa Romeo 179 is a racing car which was used by the prestigious Italian brand Alfa Romeo for the Formula 1 competitions from 1979 to 1982. It was developed to replace the Alfa Romeo 177 and it made its debut at the Italian Grand Prix at Monza in 1979 in front of its Italian fans. It was equipped with a 1291 cc 12-cylinders naturally aspirated Alfa Romeo 1260 engine.

The kit features decal for two famous Alfas

There are a lot of notable Formula one drivers that brought the Alfa Romeo 179, and it’s evolution 179C, on the GP tracks as Mario Andretti, Andrea De Cesaris and Bruno Giacomelli that achieved a pole position in the United States Grand Prix at Watkins Glen in 1980. In 1982, due to the continuous technical changes necessary to be competitive in the Formula 1 competitions, the 179 was replaced with the Alfa Romeo 182.

The contents of this kit are pretty daunting to the beginner but great to seasoned car modellers

Super decals sheet for 5 versions in French, Italian and Spanish versions of the aircraft

The Canadair is the most famous firefighting plane in the aviation history. It is based on the flying boat amphibious water bomber concept and it is an extremely effective tool to protect the environment against the fire damages. The Canadair CL-415 is the improved version of the previous CL-215.

The most important improvements able to enhance the effectiveness of firefighting duties are the adoption of two Pratt & Whitney turboprop new engines able to provide 2,380 hp. The aerodynamic additions to the wings and empennage and the up to date avionics system. Thanks to its sturdy and robust central hull, it is able to load the water storage compartments in only 400 meters long run on water. The continuous improvements have also provided a boost in the range that permits it to stay on the target for a longer period and to load and drop a higher quantity of water and retardant in order to be more and more effective on firefighting activities.

The Scania Series R heavy-tractor is available with a V8 engine and has been developed according to the recent World market requirements. The V8 SCANIA engines are designed to carry out the most demanding tasks and are appreciated for their sturdiness, reactivity, and efficiency. The continuous evolution of the cabin allowed to reach the highest levels of driving comfort and habitability even in the most demanding long-haul commercial transport activities. The Highline version is able to provide an excellent interior space and an almost flat floor.

Colourful markings and number plates form several countries are included in this kit.

The new Streamline cabin presented in 2013 has some functional and aesthetic changes that improve aerodynamically and reduce the fuel consumption. Some details, as the smoothed edges or the new deflectors placed above the headlights, are able to reduce the air turbulence and the air resistance. Even the sunshade has a relevant aerodynamic function that improves airflow and characterizes the overall truck design.

During the ‘90s, the United States Department of Defence launched the JSF (Joint Strike Fighter) contest to assign the production of a new 5th generation Multi-role combat aircraft. Boeing participated in the contest with the concept demonstrator aircraft X-32 while Lockheed Martin presented its XF-35 prototype.

THE BOX CONTAINS TWO MODELS with deals

The Boeing X-32 was developed and realized around a large one-piece carbon fibre composite delta wing and characterized by the big size air intake placed under the cockpit. The Lockheed Martin reply was based on the XF-35, using a lot of technology and aerodynamic solutions already successfully adopted on the fighter F-22 Raptor. For both concept demonstrator aircraft were developed several applications as the conventional take-off/landing version and the STOVL (short take-off and vertical landing) version. In 2001, the Department of Defence announced that the Lockheed Martin X-35 won the JSF competition and from it, the new F-35 Lightning II was born.

Entered into service between the late '70s and early' 80s the Leopard 2 is considered one of the best-armoured vehicles in the world. It has been developed to offer the German “Bundeswehr” a powerful and modern Main Battle Tank able to replace the Leopards 1. The main armament is the 120mm. Rheinmetall L/55 smoothbore gun. Despite is heavy armour, the Leopard 2 is able to reach a significant speed of 65 km/h and it has a good performance on every kind of terrains. From the first versions, the MBT has been constantly improved and updated. The Leopard 2 A4, one of the most widespread version, is adopting an advanced fire control system and modern hi-tech materials able to increase the protection capability.

Kit includes a Colour instructions sheet & New gluable rubber tracks

Apart from Germany, the Leopard 2 was able to achieve a good commercial success in many countries as Holland, Turkey, Austria, Greece and many others. Super decals sheet for 5 versions

The Saab Viggen fighter has been, for years, the backbone of the Swedish Air Force. The first AJ 37 Viggen has been developed to be a multi-role combat aircraft able to perform air defence, anti-ship and ground attack missions. Later on, in order to increase the effectiveness of the Swedish air defence system, the JA-37 "Jaktviggen" version was developed. It has been equipped with a new set of avionics, radar and weapon system able to enhance its role of all-weather fighter-interceptor aircraft.

Super decals sheet for 4 versions in Swedish service

In terms of design, the Viggen was characterized by the adoption of the delta-canard aerodynamic solution and it was powered by the big and powerful Volvo RM8 afterburning turbofan. Thanks to it the Viggen was able to reach the max speed of Mach 2,1. The Saab Viggen has been progressively replaced by the new and technologically advanced Saab JAS 39 Gripen.